Brooklyn, New York — A chaotic multi-vehicle crash involving an FDNY truck left one person dead and at least 11 others injured Tuesday evening in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn, according to police.
Authorities say the crash happened during the evening commute when a commercial van collided with a fire department vehicle, triggering a chain reaction involving several other vehicles on a busy city street.
Emergency crews quickly rushed to the scene as multiple victims required medical attention following the crash.
Chain-reaction crash unfolded at busy Brooklyn intersection
Police say the crash occurred around 6:45 p.m. at the intersection of Avenue S and West 11th Street.
Investigators believe the incident began when a commercial van traveling northbound on West 11th Street struck an FDNY truck that was heading east on Avenue S.
The powerful impact caused the FDNY vehicle to lose control and crash into an Access-A-Ride van, which then slammed into a Lexus SUV, creating a four-vehicle pileup.
The collision left several vehicles badly damaged and prompted a large emergency response.
Elderly passenger dies after being rushed to hospital
Authorities say the most serious injuries were suffered by a passenger inside the Access-A-Ride vehicle.
A 78-year-old male passenger was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead, according to police.
Officials have not yet released the victim’s identity as investigators continue notifying family members.
Eleven others injured but expected to recover
In addition to the fatality, 11 other people were injured in the crash, though officials say their injuries are considered minor.
Those taken to hospitals include:
- Six firefighters who were inside the FDNY truck
- The driver of the commercial van
- The operator of the Access-A-Ride vehicle
- Three additional passengers in the van
- The driver of the Lexus SUV
Police say all 11 injured individuals are currently in stable condition.
Emergency responders transported the victims to nearby hospitals for evaluation and treatment.
Investigation into crash continues
Authorities say the cause of the crash remains under investigation as detectives work to determine what led to the initial collision.
Read Also: 11-Year-Old Boy Found Bloodied on Illinois Street Leads Police to Arrest Mother and Boyfriend
Investigators will likely review witness statements, traffic camera footage, and vehicle damage patterns to understand how the crash unfolded.
No arrests have been made at this time, and officials have not announced whether charges may be filed.
Busy Brooklyn streets often see heavy traffic
The Gravesend neighborhood where the crash occurred is known for heavy evening traffic and busy intersections, particularly during rush hour.
Officials frequently remind drivers to stay alert at intersections where vehicles from multiple directions converge.
Multi-vehicle crashes can occur quickly when one collision triggers a chain reaction among nearby vehicles.
Community shaken by deadly incident
The deadly crash has left residents in the area shaken, particularly because the incident involved a city emergency vehicle and multiple other cars.
Authorities say they will continue investigating the crash to determine exactly how the chain reaction unfolded.
What steps do you think cities should take to reduce serious intersection crashes like this one? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
